Biden Angrily Confronted Netanyahu Over Iran Attack Threat

A senior advisor to former U.S. President Joe Biden, Brett McGurk, revealed a tense phone call between Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in April 2024. The conversation occurred as Iran was preparing a large-scale retaliatory strike against Israel following an Israeli airstrike in Damascus that killed a senior Iranian officer. McGurk, in an adaptation of his new book "An Unquiet Place: Inside the Hostage Rescue Race of October 7th," described Biden as furious during the call.

During the April 4th conversation, Biden reportedly berated Netanyahu, asking, "Bibi, man, what the hell are you doing? Do you think I'm Santa Claus? There's no Santa Claus in Israel, buddy." Biden warned that he could halt military aid to Israel immediately if humanitarian measures were not taken, while also pledging U.S. assistance in defending against Iran. The tense exchange highlighted Biden's anger over actions he believed could escalate regional conflict.

Earlier in February 2024, McGurk had been in Cairo attempting to revive stalled negotiations for the release of hostages held by Hamas. He met with then-Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel and Hamas affairs official Ahmed Abdel Khalek. Kamel described the situation as "their war" and expressed pessimism, noting that Hamas demanded a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and the return to pre-October 7th conditions. Hamas also reportedly delayed the release of women until the end of the entire process, according to McGurk.

Netanyahu, in Jerusalem, showed McGurk a map illustrating areas of Israel evacuated due to threats from the north and south. He emphasized that Hamas could no longer exist near Israel's border and expressed skepticism about the negotiations, believing military pressure was the only way to secure hostage releases. McGurk noted that Netanyahu prioritized the military campaign over diplomatic efforts.

Following Iran's unprecedented attack on April 13th, involving over 200 drones and 100 missiles, Biden spoke with Netanyahu again. Biden remarked, "Looks like you came out of this one okay, Bibi." Netanyahu described the coordinated defense as a historic moment and stated, "These maniacs must be taught a lesson." McGurk later reported that Biden told his advisors he had "saved Bibi's ass."